The Game Haus
  • Home
  • Esports
    • Strategy
      • League of Legends
      • Super Smash Brothers
      • Pokemon Unite
      • Teamfight Tactics
      • Legends of Runeterra
      • Rocket League
      • Wild Rift
      • Hearthstone
      • Pokemon
    • Shooters
      • Halo
      • Overwatch
      • Call of Duty
      • Valorant
      • Apex Legends
      • Gaming
      • CS:GO
      • Fortnite
      • Fighting Games
  • Sports
    • Live Sports
      • College Football
      • College Basketball
      • Soccer
      • NFL
      • NHL
      • MLB
      • NBA
      • PGA
    • Fantasy and Others
      • Fantasy Football
      • Fantasy Baseball
      • Nascar
      • NFL Draft
  • Store
  • More
    • About Us
    • Contact Us
    • Best iGaming Sites
    • Best VPN Sites
    • Best Browser Games
  • Starfield
Facebook Twitter Instagram
The Game Haus
  • Home
  • Esports
    • Strategy
      • League of Legends
      • Super Smash Brothers
      • Pokemon Unite
      • Teamfight Tactics
      • Legends of Runeterra
      • Rocket League
      • Wild Rift
      • Hearthstone
      • Pokemon
    • Shooters
      • Halo
      • Overwatch
      • Call of Duty
      • Valorant
      • Apex Legends
      • Gaming
      • CS:GO
      • Fortnite
      • Fighting Games
  • Sports
    • Live Sports
      • College Football
      • College Basketball
      • Soccer
      • NFL
      • NHL
      • MLB
      • NBA
      • PGA
    • Fantasy and Others
      • Fantasy Football
      • Fantasy Baseball
      • Nascar
      • NFL Draft
  • Store
  • More
    • About Us
    • Contact Us
    • Best iGaming Sites
    • Best VPN Sites
    • Best Browser Games
  • Starfield
Facebook Twitter YouTube
The Game Haus
Home»Hearthstone»Hearthstone: The Problem with Endless Classic Nerfs
Hearthstone

Hearthstone: The Problem with Endless Classic Nerfs

Alex ChurchBy Alex ChurchFebruary 1, 20194 Mins Read

A new, unexpected round of nerfs are coming in. While shake-ups to the meta are usually welcome, the most recent changes revealed a controversial trend. Blizzard is explicitly targeting class cards that it deems to be too persistent over too long a period of time. But is this the the right way forward? What problems could arise from pushing Classic Class cards away from viability?

Punishing Players?

More new cards means more expensive decks

Fewer viable classic cards means fewer classic cards in viable decks. This inevitably drives up the cost of maintaining a collection for long term players. For instance, Equality now costs 4, up from 2. This means it’s a lot harder to clear boards as Paladin of course, but it also means Paladin must go elsewhere for its clears. Shrink Ray begins to look a lot more attractive in comparison for instance

This means that Paladins need to add a new Rare to their deck, rather than an old one. If this happens repeatedly, it means that Paladins will continually need new cards, likely to be Epic and Rare. Ultimately, deckbuilding will inevitably get more expensive for long term players. This is good news for Blizzard, but less fantastic for those who don’t have hundreds of dollars to drop on internet cards.

Identity Crises

Another issue in nerfing core Classic Class cards is the dilution of class identity. Cards like Cold Blood and Flametongue Totem defined Shaman and Rogue’s Classic potential. Without them as a strong core, a little bit of their identity is lost. Warrior already showed how class identity can suffer when a key Classic support is nerfed. Without War Axe the class now seems confused, jumping from archetype to archetype without settling on anything that feels especially ‘Warrior-ey’.

Such a fate may befall more classes that lose their powerful Classic backing. When Classic becomes weak, we do see more diversity, but thematic consistency and playstyles are lost as multitudes of cards rotate in and out. It will become hard to maintain consistent class identity without as many baseline Classic cards holding everything together.

The Rotation Issue

Hunter may struggle to survive

Aside from these abstract, long term concerns, there are some more immediate concerns. Many of the classes affected by the changes (like Rogue, Shaman and Hunter) are those that are most at risk from the rotation. Hunter in particular seems like it could tumble precipitously, as Hunter’s Mark would have been one of its last efficient early-mid game removals.

But Shaman looks to be in trouble too, as Even Shaman lives and dies on its two drops, with Flametongue arguably being the best after Murkspark Eel. Meanwhile, Rogue was relying on Odd to carry it without the likes of Quest, Kingsbane and Vilespine slayer, but the Cold Blood nerf may threaten that.

Right Attitude, Wrong Scope?

The consistent power of standard does need to be addressed. However, by only doing targeted nerfs and not a more holistic overhaul, Blizzard may be taking the wrong approach. Rather than mixing things up with a Kibler-suggested rotating Classic set, we may see it dwindle into obscurity under the weight of years of continual nerfs.

While a powerful Classic set creates problems, we can’t ignore the benefits it brings. It anchors identity, lowers costs and prevents wild swings in power levels. Hopefully more positive changes are coming to Classic soon.

 

Images courtesy of Blizzard Entertainment via hearthstone.gamepedia.com.

You can like The Game Haus on Facebook and follow us on Twitter for more sports and esports articles from other TGH writers along with Alex.

Balance Hearthstone hunter Meta nerf Rogue Shaman Standard

1 Comment

  1. Anonymous on February 2, 2019 5:57 am

    I’ve played this game since launch. This game is rigged on so many levels it’s ridiculous. This game is pay2play and any blizzard fanboys who tell you otherwise are just delusional. Blizzard is running a business so it makes sense for them to tip the odds in your opponents favor, thus making you play more to get better and to spend more money crafting the perfect deck. Please don’t give them any more of your money.

    Reply

Leave A Reply Cancel Reply

Recent Stories

What is the Lost Caverns of Ixalan Release Date?

September 22, 2023

Lost Caverns of Ixalan Previews from Magic Con Vegas

September 22, 2023

How To Get A Fortnite Account Refund

September 22, 2023

The Game Haus aims to bring unbiased, factually sound opinions to audiences across a range of mediums that are not readily accessible in the day-to-day media outlets. We cover the latest news in Call of Duty, CS:GO, League of Legends, Dota 2, Fighting Games, NBA 2K, Halo, Hearthstone, Overwatch, Pokemon, Rocket League, Smite, Starcraft II, Fantasy Sports, MLS, EPL, MLB, NASCAR, NBA, NCAAB, NCAAF, NFL, NHL, and PGA.

Next to our unbiased coverage for esports and sports, have a look at our iGaming content. If you are looking for the most recommended Esports Betting Sites or Best Sports Betting Sites, look no further. We also cover the Best Sweepstakes Casinos in our free 2 play section and have a closer look at the Best DFS Sites out there. If you are looking for some real money options, check how we ranked the Best Online Casinos.

Don’t miss out on our dedicated VPN section. If you are in need of the Best VPN Services, we now got your back. No matter whether you are searching for the Best Gaming VPNs, reliable VPNs for Streaming or just looking for switching to a different Country IP via VPN, we have all the answers you need. No time to waste? Check our ExpressVPN Review or our NordVPN Review and you have the clear winners!

The Game Haus is now bringing you the best browser games to play for free. Up for a classic, then don’t hestitate to play Forge of Empires online. Fancy new browser games? No problem! We have toplists for MMO browser games, free online strategy games or browser building games. No matter if you want to play laptop browser games by yourself or the best free coop games. We got you covered!

Follow us on Social Media for updates! Sports: Facebook | Twitter Esports: Facebook | Twitter

Login

Facebook Twitter YouTube
© 2023 The Game Haus. Designed by SEOpologist.

Type above and press Enter to search. Press Esc to cancel.